HOUSTON – The man charged in connection with his former Rice football teammate's death pleaded not guilty to federal charges Wednesday.
KPRC was there when Stuart Mouchantaf left the courthouse, but he offered no comment when questioned. He was indicted last week on three charges, including conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute.
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He posted bond, which was set at $100,000, records show.
Mouchantaf was arrested on state charges in October 2018 in connection with the March 2, 2018 death of 21-year-old Blain Padgett.
Investigators accused Mouchantaff of providing Padgett with pills that Padgett thought contained hydrocodone. Instead, investigators said, the pills contained a powerful opioid analog called carfentanil.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, carfentanil is used for the sedation of large animals. A lethal human dose of the drug is so small it can’t be seen by the eye, state prosecutors said.
Court records showed the state charges against Mouchantaf were dropped when the federal charges were filed.
Ex-Rice football player, Stuart Mouchantaf, pleads not guilty after federal charges in another student's death. Investigators say Mouchantaf sold drugs to a student laced with carfentanil, leading to the student's death. KPRC2 / Click2Houston His jury selection/trial begins August 5th.
Posted by KPRC2 Rose-Ann Aragon on Wednesday, June 26, 2019